Automatic popcorn popping and dispensing machine



March 3, 1953 c.G H

AWKS 2,630,058

AUTOMATIC POPCORN POPPING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENT O'R' ATTORNEYS March 3, 1953 c. e. HAWKS 2,530,058

AUTOMATIC POPCORN POPPING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV C2 /0 G. HAM ks Wz Wflw 49m ATTORNEYS I March 1953 c. G. HAwKs 2,630,058

AUTOMATIC POPCORN POPPING AND DISPENSING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet s a m m INVENTOR My ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC, POPCORN. POPPING nn DISPENSING MACHINE Clio GaHawks, Minnebago; Application April 24, 1951 SerialNo. 222,697. 41 Claims. (01. 99-238.6)

This invention appertains to improvements in automatic corn popping machines and has for its p im ry. ob e to p ovide a o n p popping machine, wherein a predetermined amount of corn kernels will beqsubjected' to aninstantaneous heat, immediately upon the inion o a c in i the machi Another object of thisinvention is to provide an infrared lamp for heating the corn kernels,

which are disposed on a reciprocating metallic screen over the infrared lamp; the screen radiating heat to the kernels and to provide a reflector hood; which overlies the screen and reflects-theheat rays, emanating from the infrared lamp, back onto the kernels.

Another object of this invention isto provide a solenoid; operated valve mechanism for discharging a predetermined amount of cornkernelsfrom a hopper onto the reciprocating screen and to provide means for separating the unpopped kernels from the popcorn; after-the-kernels have been thoroughly subjectedtp the rays emanating from the infrared lamp.

A further object of thisinvention is: to'obviate the necessity for using oil or similar agents in any manner, attendant with the popping oh the corn, and to'provide' means for salting and oiling. the popped kernels as they fall from the screen into abag' or container.

And yet another object of -th-is invention is to provide a coinoperated pop-corn machine, wherein the discharge of thekernels onto the screen, the reciprocating of-the screen, and the operation of-the infrared lamp are automatically Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a popcorn machine, constructed in accordance with, the principles of; thisinvention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, through the casing;

Figure 3 is a front elevational.view, with the front of the casing being removed and exposing the operating mechanism;

Figure 4 is a top plan view;

Figure 5 is atop plan view, with the top wall of the casing being removed;

on line 6-1-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 6-"is atransverse sectional view taken- Figure 7 is' a fragmentary front elevationalview, with thefront wall being partly brokenaway;

Figure 8- is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating theva'lve mechanismoperatively a'ssociated with the hopper;

Figure '91s a fragmentary sectional view of the discharge funnel, illustrating the salting mechanisminlongitudinal vertical section;

Figural-04s a detailed sectional view taken on Figure 11 is a perspective showing of the mechanism provided for oiling or butteringthe popcorn;

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic View ofthe' electrical wiring arrangement.

Referring now more particularly tothe accoinpanying drawings; the corn popping and dispensing machine l-n includes acasing l2, which may be suitably formed and oonfigured. The casing includes a'topwall M; which is formed with an opening provided with a closurel 3, which provides access interiorly- 0f the casing; A transparent and heat resistant panel l-8 ismounted in -rthe front wall-Ell ot the casing, exposing the internal operation mechanism; so that .a user can watch the corn being popped and dispensed.

Anropening Ills formedin. the front wall, below the panel-18 and areceptaole or box 24 having anropenfrontwall, is disposed through the opening and fixedly mountedcon the front wall. The box is formed with .an apentured top" wall 26,

adapted: to receive the lower end; of a discharge tube or funnel 28. A casing 33; whichl has an openavfrontuwall; isaimounted inithe front wall 20 oft-the casing |A1for=retaining alplurality-of bags 32:; which are arranged in collapsed. and stacked,

formation.

A transverse partition .34iiS fixedlyrmountedinl theucasing; between the side wallsnthereof and. iscspacedtfrom the frontwall vasiat 337F receive the discharge tube 28. A conventional infrared lamp-3511s: mountednby .a supporting frame .38

ontthe partition :34 and istdisposed. at an; angle, within-thecasing; "Theframe38 includes a col- 1ar40, which-is-circumposed onthebulb and sup porting legs 42 which extendfrom the collar and are fixedly mounted onthe upper surface of thepartition.

supply hgpper Aid is;- mounted between the opposing side walls and rear wall of the cas 3 ing, the hopper being vertically arranged within the casing and having a reduced lower discharge end 46. The hopper is spaced from the front wall 20 of the casing and a fluorescent lamp 48 is mounted thereon, above the transparent panel I8 to illuminate the interior of the casing, so that the operation of the machine can be easily visible exteriorly of the casing. A fixed tube 50 is transversely mounted in the discharge end 46 of the hopper and is formed with an upper end 52 and a spaced lower end 54. The upper end is provided with spaced openings 56 and the lower end 54 is provided with openings 58, which are out of registry with the openings 56, as seen in Figure 8. A valve member 60 is slidably disposed in the tube and is formed with openings 62, which are normally in alignment with the openings 56. A solenoid 64 is mounted in the casing and operates an arm 66, which is pivoted to an extending lug 68 on one end of the valve member. A spring I is affixed to the opposing end of the valve member for retaining the valve member in position, so that the openings 56 will align with the openings 62. However, upon actuation of the solenoid 64, the arm 66 is moved inwardly in the solenoid casing, with the solenoid plunger, and the kernels I2, collected in the openings 62, are discharged through the openings 58 and gravitate onto a reciprocating screen I4. The screen I4 includes an open frame I6, within which a fine copper mesh screen 18 is mounted. A floor or plate 82 is mounted between the side walls and the rear wall of the casing, the plate being disposed at an angle and extending downwardly toward the front wall. The plate is formed with an opening 84, underlying the screen I4 and the edges of the opening are defined by upstanding flanges 86 and 88. The frame I6 is formed with vertically and horizontally arranged rollers 98 and 92, which are engageable on the guide rails 86 and 88, so that the screen is slidably mounted on the plate 82. A vibrating mechanism 94, such as a motor and eccentric connection or solenoid arrangement, is mounted on the plate 82, adjacent to the rear end of the casing, and, through a connecting arm 96, is attached to the rear end of the frame I6 for reciprocating the screen. An upstanding stop member I00 is formed on the front end of the plate, which rests on the rear edge of a collecting hopper I02, the hopper being formed integral with the tube 28. The hopper I02 is disposed between the side walls and abuts the front wall of the casing, as seen in Figure 2,

and the stop extends upwardly from the rear edge of the hopper, so as to limit the forward movement of the screen I4.

A coarse screen I08 is transversely disposed across the forward portion of the opening and partially underlies the screen I4, the coarse screen I08 overlying a discharge hopper IIO for unpopped kernels. The hopper I I0 is formed integral with a vertical tube II2, which extends into a receptacle II4 mounted on the bottom of the casing.

A hood type heat reflector I04 bridges the opening 84 and faces the screens 14 and I08 and the lamp 36. A fixed plate I06 is positioned in superimposed spaced relation with respect to the portion of the screen I4 adjacent to the lower or discharge end 46 of the supply hopper 44 and forms with this portion of the screen I4 a restricted passage for controlling the flow of unpopped kernels from the supply hopper to the screen I4.

ISO

Thus, as the kernels are discharged through the openings 58, to the screen I8, which is reciprocated by the vibrating mechanism 94, the kernels are subjected to the heat rays emanating from the infrared lamp 36. The kernels are also subjected to the heat collected and given off by the copper screen I8 and by the heat, reflected downwardly from the overlying hood reflector. The kernels are thus popped, as the screen is reciprocated and the popped corn is discharged into the hopper I02, with the unpopped kernels falling through the screen I08 into the hopper I I0 and eventually into the receptacle I I4.

A rod I I6 is slidably disposed through an opening in the front wall of the casing and through an aligned opening in the front wall of the tube 28. The rod II6 carries laterally extending plates H8 and I20 intermediate its ends which are adapted to be disposed within the tube 28 and form a gate valve therein to collect the popcorn before releasing the entire load at once. A slot I22 is formed in the back wall of the tube 28 for receiving the plates, as the rod is pushed forwardly into the casing, to permit the popcorn to gravitate downwardly in the tube 28. As the rod is pushed forwardly, it actuates a mechanism for discharging salt in the tube 28. The salt discharging mechanism I24 includes, as seen in Figure 9, a cylinder I26, which is formed with an open bottom wall I28 and a substantially closed top wall I30. A rod I34 is axially disposed in the cylinder and terminates at its upper exterior end in a semi-spherical knob I36, which is adapted to be engaged by a complementary knob or protuberance I38, formed on the underside of the rod II6 which is retained free from rotation by the plates, sliding through the slot I22. A partition wall I is transversely formed in the upper end of the cylinder and is provided with a central opening for slidably receiving the rod I34. A lateral pin I42 is formed on the rod and provides an abutment for a coiled spring I44, which is concentrically disposed on the spring and bears against the upper surface of the partition I40. A concave-convex valve plate I46 is carried transversely by the lower end of the rod and is adapted to close oil the open end wall I28 of the cylinder, so as to retain the salt within the cylinder. However, upon engagement of the protuberance I 38 with the knob I36, the rod will be depressed and the valve plate I46 will be moved downwardly, permitting the salt to gravitate outwardly from the casing I26.

A supply casing I48 is mounted by means of brackets I58 to one of the side walls of the casing and is communicated with the casing I26 by means of a flexible tubing I52. Thus, the casing I26 is constantly filled with salt, which gravitates from the supply casing I48 through the conduit I52.

A cylinder I 54 is fixedly mounted on the partition 34 and interposed in the path of axial movement of the rod II6, which is slidingly and sealingly disposed through the end wall I56 ofthe cylinder. A piston I58 is formed on the end of the rod II 6 and is workably disposed in the cylinder I54, which is adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of melted butter or similar seasoning oils. An inlet nipple I60 is formed in the opposing end I62 of the cylinder and is communicated with a supply tank I64 by means of a flexible conduit I66. A ball valve I68 is disposed in the nipple and is retained from entering the cylinder by means of a fine screen I10, enclosing the opening in the end wall I62 of the cylinder.

An outlet nipple I1 2. is; formed in the upper wall: cit-he cylinder, adjacent tothe end. wall, I162; and. a check valve, I'M isdisposed? therein, the check valve I114 being unseatedby the: increased. fluid. pressure. in the cylinders. upon. the movement of. the piston. I58 towardtheendiwall: I262", under the actuation of the. sliding. rod; H 6, A. flexible-conduit I16 is connected to: the nipple I 72 and to a. dispensing: ring. I W, whichsis; seated ina recess I78 formed inthe wallsqof the tubc 2 8.; Thedispensing ring IT! is rectang-ulanin:shapa. so as to conformto the cross sectional. shape of: the tube; 28; and is, formed; with. inwardly: directed; dischargeyopeninss Il9.- The 0i1',,dispensedf,r0m the cylinder, by the; piston; I58: is discharged through the openings I119; in. cross: sprays; and. transverselyto the; gravitational; pathwof the: popcorn.

A, heating: coil [.8011 is concentrically; disposed", on: the tank I64 and a thermostat: I8'3,isimmersed.in* the oil in thetank and. connected to. the. coil IBfl f for controlling the operation thereofi, dependent; upon; the condition; of the;,flu-id1;in, the; tank,

A coin m h nism I82 ismounted inthe. front: wall; of, the casing and; controls. a. switch. I814, Whichis also controll dby a relay timer. [8.61, A. coin chute I88under1iesthe. coinlswitch, Id41and: isQQnnected to; a coin box}; I190.

Asseen in Figure 12,. the vihratonmechanism1 94. is wired in a, circuit: I92, controlled by the:

switch I84, of the relay timer; I85, Withthe; lamp;

coil I8Ilfor thesupply tank I154. is provided with.

a separatecircuit. I98, extending from, thecomnoon source of electricahenergy,

In use, corn kernels are; deposited; in. the. hop-. per 44, through the closure I6, whichmay be pro,-

vided with a suitable locking; mechanism. The.

corn popping machine is then ready forsuse, when a coin is inserted, in; the coin mechanism I82;

Thecoin, of course, controls, the circuit, for; thevarious; operating mechanisms and, upon. the. insertion of the coin, thetimen I96 iscperative: toenergize the solenoid Blandmovethemember 69, so as to release, the; pocketed; kernels. 12

onto the underlying screen. After; the; solenoid! 644s energized, the time relay I96, is operative to" closeqoff the circuit I94 andthe: spring IIlreturns;

the member 60 to, its normal position, as..illus.- tra-tedinFigure 8; The circuit I92, isthen energized, through the. relay. I 96,,and the vibrating mechanism 94'is set into: operation. Of; course. it will be noted that the infraredilamptfizis illuminatedwhen the circuit I94 iscstablishedand'isx I retained in operation, through thecircuit; I92,

As the screen is vibrated in. the trackway, the;

infrared lamp emits its raysthrough the screen.

14 and the screen, being of conductivematerial, is operative to heat the corn kernels. Of course, the overheadrefiector hood is operative to reflect the rays back down onto the screen, as it is reciprocated in a pathundcrlying the hood.

The popped corn and the, unpopped, kernels gravitate downwardly on the screen, asit is re-. ciprocated, the unpopped kernels falling through the coarse screen- I08 andbeing collected in the receptacle I I4, while the popped corn is collected in the hopper I92, The popped; corn isretained by the gate valve H9. formed. by plates H8 and I29, so that itis collected inthehopper, above the rod IIfi. The timer IBIS-,iscperativeto control. the extent, of, operatiomof. the vibrating mechanism, 94; and the: lamp 36". and, after a .predetermined: period, the relay I86 is operative to closciofithezcircuit I SZyand, therefore, extinguish the lampto. and shutoff. the vibrator mecha. nism 94..

Thepopped cornonthebaflie or gate valve I I9 is released,v t0: gravitate: into a bag disposed in:

the chamber 24,, Icy-sliding the. rod I I6 inwardly, the; bafilemoving through; the slot I 22 in the rear. wall. of thehopper; As: the rod H8 is moved inwardly, the abutment member thereon. contacts. the knob I36 for the; valve mechanism for the. Saltdispenser and, as;thepopped corn gravitates; downwardly-lathe hopper, the salt is sprinkled thereona. Also, as; the: rod. slides inwardly, the.

pistom onv. the; inner: end thereof is operative to dischargethe; oil in" the cylinder I54 downwardly through the flexible connecting tubeorconduit. to tI'IQHOZZlSwHB. Thus, asthe corn falls through.

thenozzlelthe oilis sprayedfrom the nozzle ontotil-acorn.

When? the pushrod II 6 travels back into position after. being released,itsstriker I38 makes. a. quickhitwith. the saltstriker I36 thus allowing 1 aviarysmall portion of salt to fall on, the. top

ofithe. Popcorn in the customers container; This.

31liQ1ll'ltzlS much lessthan allowed to. drop or-mix.

with the; popcorn on the forward movement. of the rodwhenthe: push. button was operatedby thecustomer because;thespringxreturns the rod very quickly.

Having thus; described. this; invention. what; is

claimed is:

1;. Acorn popping machinecomprising a. closed housing including a front wall, a fixed inclined.

' floor and overlying. the remaining portion of said. opening. and: fixedly secured to said. fioor, the perforationsinsaid firstscreen-being of a size to retain the popped andiunpopped kernels. of corn, and. the perforations in saidsecond screen being of, a sizeto retain the popped: kernels and permit the; passage of the unpopped kernels therethrough, arvertically disposed supply hopper positioned above said first screen and. having its:

lower; endlocated. adjacent the upper end of said 'first screen, radiant. heating means secured to said housing beneath the portionof said opening accommodating said, first screen, a heat refiector bridgingsaid opening and facing said first and second. screens and said heating means, a collectinghopper arranged between the lower end of saidlfioor. and said front. wall and beneath said lower. end of said floor. for receiving the popped kernels; a. receptacle positioned within the housing adjacent the front wall in communication with the lower end of said collecting hopper and in: communication with i the exterior of the front wall of the housing, and a discharge hopper positioned below and in communication with said second screen for receivingtheunpopped kernels.

2; A com popping machinecomprising a closed housing including a front wall, a fixed inclined floor extending across'the interiorof said housingintermediatethetop and bottom thereof and having, its. lower end spaced: from said front wall an opening formed in said 'fioor extending inwardly from said lower end thereof and termi nating at a point adjacent to the upper end of said floor, a first screen arranged parallel to said fioor and overlying a portion of said opening and connected to said floor for reciprocating movement, a second screen arranged parallel to said fioor and overlying the remaining portion of said opening and fixedly secured to said floor, the perforations in said first screen being of a size to retain the popped and unpopped kernels of corn and the perforations in said second screen being of a size to retain the popped kernels and permit the passage of the unpopped kernels therethrough, a vertically disposed supply hopper positioned above said first screen and having its lower end located adjacent the upper end of said first screen, radiant heating means secured to said housing beneath the portion of said opening accommodating said first screen, a heat reflector bridging said opening and facing said first and second screens and said heating means, a collecting hopper arranged between the lower end of said floor and said front wall and beneath said lower end of said floor for receiving the popped kernels, a receptacle positioned within the housing adjacent the front wall in communication with the lower end of said collecting hopper and in communication with the exterior of the front wall of the housing, a discharge hopper positioned below and in communication with said second screen for receiving the unpopped kernels, and a gate valve extending transversely through said collecting hopper and slidably supported therein for reciprocatory movement to control the discharge of the popped kernels.

3. A corn popping machine comprising a closed housing including a front wall, a fixed inclined fioor extending across the interior of said housing intermediate the top and bottom thereof and having its lower end spaced from said front wall, an opening formed in said floor extending inwardly from said lower end thereof and terminating at a point adjacent to the upper end of said floor, a first scheen arranged parallel to said floor and overlying a portion of said opening and connected to said fioor for reciprocating movement, a second screen arranged parallel to said floor and overlying the remaining portion of said opening and fixedly secured to said floor, the perforations in said first screen being of a size to retain the popped and unpopped kernels of corn and the perforations in said second screen being of a size to retain the popped kernels and permit the passage of the unpopped kernels therethrough, a vertically disposed supply hopper positioned above said first screen and having its lower end located adjacent the upper end of said first screen, radiant heating means secured to said housing beneath the portion of said opening accommodating said first screen, a heat reflector bridging said opening and facing said first and second screens and said heating means, a fixed plate positioned in superimposed spaced relation with respect to the portion of said first screen adjacent to the lower end of said supply hopper and forming with said screen portion a restricted passage for controlling the flow of unpopped kernels from the supply hopper to said first screen, a collecting hopper arranged between the lower end of said fioor and said front wall and beneath said lower end of said floor for receiving the popped kernels, a receptacle positioned within the housing adjacent the front wall in communication with the lower end of said collectin hopper and in communication with the exterior of the front wall of the housing, a discharge hopper positioned below and in communication with said second screen for receiving the unpopped kernels, and agate valve extending transversely through said collecting hopper and slidably supported therein for reciprocatory movement to control the discharge of the popped kernels.

4. A corn popping machine comprising a closed housing including a front wall, a fixed inclined floor extending across the interior of said housing intermediate the top and bottom thereof and having its lower end spaced from said front wall, an opening formed in said fioor extending inwardly from said lower end thereof and terminating at a point adjacent to the upper end of said floor, upstanding flanges arranged perpendicularly with respect to said lower end of said floor on opposite sides of said opening and secured to said fioor in parallel relation and together forming guide rails, a first screen arranged parallel to said fioor and overlying a portion of said opening and slidably supported in said guide rails, means connected to said first screen for imparting reciprocating movement to the latter, a second screen arranged parallel to said fioor and overlying the remaining portion of said open ing and fixedly secured to said floor, the perforations in said first screen being of a size to retain the popped and unpopped kernels of corn and the perforations in said second screen being of a size to retain the popped kernels and permit the passage of the unpopped kernels therethrough, a vertically disposed supply hopper positioned above said first screen and having its lower end located adjacent the upper end of said first screen, radiant heating means secured to said housing beneath the portion of said opening accommodating said first screen, a heat reflector bridging said opening and facing said first and second screens and said heating means, a fixed plate positioned in superimposed spaced relation with respect to the portion of said first screen adjacent to the lower end of said supply hopper and forming with said screen portion a restricted passage for controlling the flow of unpopped kernels from the supply hopper to said first screen, a collecting hopper arranged between the lower end of said floor and said front wall and beneath said lower end of said fioor for receiving the popped kernels, a receptacle positioned within the housing adjacent the front wall in communication with the lower end of said collecting hopper and in communication with the exterior of the front wall of the housing, a discharge hopper positioned below and in communication With said second screen for receiving the unpopped kernels, and a gate valve extending transversely through said collecting hopper and slidably supported therein for reciprocatory movement to control the discharge of the popped kernels.

CLIO G. HAWKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,586,950 Hartman June 1, 1926 1,621,113 H111 Mar. 15, 1927 1,839,671 Hale Jan. 5, 1932 2,134,088 Obdyke Oct. 25, 1938 2,263,866 Barber Nov. 25, 1941 

